hypochondriac

We need to get a move on RE signings. This Ramirez saga has distracted everyone but we are just over a week away and we are still in desperate need for signings in other areas.

Exactly. I like to think that my parents gave me a bit more credit than that. They understood that I am my own person who can think for myself. They introduced me to christianity through which I believe I learnt quite a bit. I then was allowed to decide for myself how I wanted to live my life. I still go to a small local church that my grandma used to attend on christmas day simply because I like the tradition and I went at easter last year. Why people assume that all offspring of religious folk are forever destined to be religious themselves I have no idea. And even if they are, it's not necessarily a consequence of having it forced into them from an early age. Talk of burning in hell if you don't follow christianity was never something that I experienced as a child and I suspect that is similar for the vast majority. Reading something like that just makes me think of those old films set in Irish boarding schools. It's an alien concept.

That isn't what he said at all. He said all people with religious beliefs should have their children taken into care as if everyone who is religious forces their children into their religion. That was never my experience growing up. Yes I went to church but then when I was older my parents let me decide for myself. Same with my girlfriend who is a muslim. The idea that all religious people are forcing their offspring into their religion is seriously misguided though I accept that in some cases it does happen.

Saying something like you believe that those with faith are not fit to look after children is a perfect example of belittling someone.

I have found that quite a lot of atheists can't just accept someone who has faith and a lot of them in my experience have a problem with someone having a belief in god. I'm neither a hugely religious person or an atheist but I am quite happy for people to believe what they like even if I think it is nonsense.

Just a simple opinion borne from experience of these type of threads.

Last PM I sent was to the Kraken two weeks ago.

I would say so.

I'm a veteran of these sagas. It goes on and on and on and on and then it's pronounced dead.

Deal is dead. Lets move on.

Get in. 1-1. Last kick of the half.

Portsmouth winning. Disgrace again.

Point taken mate. Lets hope it stays sensible.

It's mostly just myself and FC agreeing...

Yes but this hardly sounds like a similar sort of thing. I mean this guy if we get him will clearly have some of the most talent in our team. Better than De Ridder and Guly at any rate.

Based on?

My ire directing at anothersaintinsouthsea is because I believe he is in danger of misrepresenting my words. I agree with questioning religious beliefs that are harmful to others I agree that whilst religious people can spread their belief where appropriate (just as atheists hav the right to spread their 'belief') that does not give them license to be overly judgemental or preach at others where it is unwanted. My view has been consistent over this issue- people should be able to believe what they want as long as it doesn't harm anyone else. Clearly the things you have listed do terrible harm. Practices like female circumcision are wrong regardless of whether religion is used to justify it or not. Same with refusing blood transfusions but if they are an adult then that is their choice. Different story for under age though as you allude to. With your final point I also agree. I'm not actually arguing with you. A belief in God is clearly not essential in order to be a good person but some people choose to be a good person and believe in God. Good for them is my response.

OK thanks. Can't imagine Blackpool would let us have both!

Why have you adopted that tone and pretended I have said something that I did not say? I suspect you may just be trying to get a reaction but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt at reply politely anyway. FWIW I agree that religious people should not ram religion down other people's throats. If you read some of my other posts I already said what I respected about my father was that he was a Christian but didn't do anything like that. Fanatical Christians who judge others and ram their religion down other people's throats are completely wrong. Equally IMO are those who belittle or insult those who choose to have religious beliefs.

Where has this ince thing come from? We aren't signing him IMO.

Austin was just 19 pages so this easily beats it. If I remember correctly skacel was about ten different threads so we can't measure.

I think even people who belong to those religions would argue with you about that. If you don't view God as a "person" then there are clear distinct differences between the God in Islam and the God in Christianity for example in my experience (though I'm not going into them here!) Not really getting into the viability of religions since to a large extent I agree with many of your points. My argument was that christianity and Islam exists outside of the mainstream church organisations. I know because my girlfriend comes from a Muslim family and my father is a Christian so I have first hand experience! I do think you can respect others to believe what they want though I take your point about the paradox. I am pleased that you have found your own belief system that works for you. My primary problem is with those who seek to belittle others for believing in something which they do not. I was just saying that personally I support anyone that finds a belief that makes them happier, improves their life and hopefully the lives of those they come into contact with.

I like that ambiguity...

Fair play to Lawro. Knows his stuff.

Lets wait and see...